Panthers notes: Another Wilson homecoming win

CHARLOTTE — The final 12-7 score may not indicate a masterful quarterback performance, but Seattle’s Russell Wilson put together another steady effort for the Seahawks.

And most importantly, he helped deliver a win as the former N.C. State signal-caller improved to 13-6 as a starter in the NFL. It marked his second win at Bank of America Stadium.

Wilson finished 25-for-33 with one touchdown and no interceptions. The 2012 Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowler was especially strong in the clutch — engineering the game-winning fourth-quarter touchdown drive and salting the clock on the final possession of the game. Wilson averaged 8.6 yards per completion with his biggest coming with 10:21 left in the fourth, connecting with Jermaine Kearse on a 43-yard scoring strike.

“It’s always special to come back here. I loved N.C. State and still do. The state of North Carolina means a lot to me,” said Wilson, who finished his college football career at Wisconsin. “I’ve always had so much support here. There were so many fans here, which is cool to see. It’s such an honor.”

He picked up his second win in Carolina — a state he’s called home on several occasions. Once a baseball player with professional aspirations as an infielder, he spent one month with the Gastonia Grizzlies Coastal Plain League team in 2009 and played for the Asheville Tourists as a farmhand with the Colorado Rockies in 2011.

“I’ll never forget North Carolina people in general and how awesome they are,” Wilson said.

Woes continue up front

Already a team with deficiencies on the offensive line, the Panthers suffered another blow on Sunday.

Right guard Garry Williams sustained a knee injury late in the first quarter and had to be helped off the field.

“It doesn’t look good for Garry Williams. We’ll have to get an MRI on that,” Rivera said.

Carolina inserted Chris Scott into the lineup when Williams went down. The Panthers were already without starting left guard Amini Silatolu and reserve center Brian Folkerts .

Alexander ejected

The offensive line wasn’t the only place where the Panthers became thin on Sunday.

Reserve defensive end Frank Alexander was ejected from the game late in the second quarter after throwing a couple of punches at Seattle offensive tackle Breno Giacomini . The play also erased a sack by safety Charles Godfrey.

The Panthers kept the Seahawks off the board on the drive — thanks to a sack of Wilson and forced fumble/recovery by Charles Johnson deep in Carolina territory.

“You can’t lose your composure. To me it was the case of the second man getting caught,” Rivera said. “We had a third and 20 or whatever it would have been and instead they get a first down.

Page 2 of 2 - “They didn’t get any points out of it, but still, we could have made them kick, and who knows what we could have done with a two-minute drive just before half?”

Williams takes the blame

Down by five with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, DeAngelo Williams’ fumble at the 8-yard line cost the Panthers a chance for a comeback win.

Instead, Carolina was left hanging its heads after another loss by less than a touchdown. In the now two-plus years under Ron Rivera, the Panthers are now 2-13 in games decided by that slim margin.

Williams didn’t shy away from the blame.

“It ultimately came down to that fumble, let’s just get that out of the way, it was my fault,” Williams said. “I’ve watched countless film on them and I know that’s what they do, they strip and go for the ball. Unfortunately, today they got the ball out and it cost my team and the fans a hard-fought win and I want to apologize.”

Gross, Smith tallies continue

Left tackle Jordan Gross made his 152nd straight start for the Panthers, the most in franchise history. Steve Smith made his 147th straight start, which ranks second behind Gross.

Smith also extended his reception streak to 92 games. That mark dates back to the 2006 season finale.

A Buffalo stance

The Panthers return to Buffalo next Sunday for the first time since 2005. With a 1-4 all-time mark, its 13-9 win that year marks Carolina’s only win over the Bills.

The Panthers are 1-2 in Buffalo and 0-2 at home against the Bills with their last loss coming in 2009 (20-9).